• commuters
• road racers (see also freds & dentists)
• fixie kids (see also hipsters,  ‘people who hate hipsters’, fixed gear freestyle)
• bike punks
• zoobombers (see also freak bikes and mini bikes)
• MTBers
• those cargo bike and xtracycle fanatics
• bents
• randonneurs

…..the list goes on and on.

That said, I’ve always held myself and most others to a higher standard than many other sports and hobbies. There is a huge movement throughout the US for bikes to have more funding, more road use, more recreational area….just more for everyone of every discipline or category of bike rider. It’s a wave of change that would benefit everyone from the vegan bike commuter to the GOP-loving mountain biker – more road and more space means more riding and more fun. (ps. not all bike comuters are vegan, nor mountain bikers all love the GOP) For the most part the bike riding community (whatever that contains exactly) has been internally rather pleasant to one another, even if some of us lose our shit with drivers, runners, hikers, or the like.

But it feels like the tide may be changing in the concentrated areas. I recall, only 5 years ago, riding country roads and getting a passing “hello” honk from a MTBer in his giant raised SUV headed out to the hills for some dirt. I remember hearing “good morning” or “on your left” or “hey! nice bike!” all times of the day – whether commuting to work or just putting in some miles in my spandex.

Not to sound too nostalgic, but that all seems to be gone now. I don’t hear anything, not a word, from other cyclists on my rides; I say “good morning” and they act like they didn’t hear me – I say “on your left” and they speed up. My dress for my ride also seems to have become important, dictating how commuters or road racers should treat me. It’s not ALL THE TIME, but it’s become the vast majority.

Why?

Can’t we all just get along?

I really wish these shirts were available in the US for less than $40USD – because this is one of my new favorite expressions.

Take a look here (it helps if you understand a little Italian)

After some sample and discussions (arguments) and playing with every color palette app there is for the iPhone, we ended up working with the Historic Colors collection from Miller Paint.

Starting this weekend, we prepped everything and got the walls in the dining room and living room rocking. For those two rooms we chose “Phelps Putty”, a light grey with tan tones that seems to highlight all over the spectrum in different lighting conditions – sometimes slightly blue, somethings more “sandy”.  (Yea, I’m a color-blind nerd who loves colors). Next we will move onto “Jewitt White” for the trim and ceiling, a light cream with a bit of warmth to it.

Below are some photos of the our progress. We’ll post some up when it’s really looking great!

Finished wall color looks rad!

The fireplace repaint.

Primed all of the dining room.

I was deemed the “bikey-est” and handed the “‘EDDY MERCKX’ AWARD 2011″.  Though, they said, the choice was difficult among the many bike-enthusiasts at our office, I lead the peloton due to my uncanny ability to attend morning meetings and work in full spandex.

MAX KIRCHOFF - SHOPIGNITER - "EDDY MERCKX" AWARD 2011

Example of my commitment to performance.....clothing.

Fast forward to this week: Trees By Bike is in full effect. We have an intense weekend of moving over 150 trees, all weighing ridiculous amounts, and starting our initial deliveries. I bike a heavy load of three large trees on Sunday night….and then discover the worst this morning…

Though I have survived the weekend, the stainless steel hitch bearings have not. At some point, probably in the height of my exhaustion, the cartridge cracked – spilling out the ball-bearings.

I’m working on replacing it as fast as possible, but now I’m just afraid…

WHAT CAN’T I BREAK?!

I guess we’ll add stainless steel bearings to the long list of bike parts I break – including: thomson seat posts, surly AND salsa seat clamps, wheels under 32 spokes, and the list goes on.

CRACK!

This used to be one piece.

1. iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner – informational video link
   
   It’s a robot, and it cleans our house for us. I NEED this.
2. Treadmill
   
   This will be used by the hole family, but probably by myself the most.
3. Art
   
   We have a lot of walls to hang stuff on.
4. A case of Segura Viudas
   
   I drink this stuff like crazy cause it’s cheap and it’s alright.  Fancy wine is also welcome.
5. Sparkling water & soda maker - informational website link
   
   Max and I have cut out regular soda as part of a greater movement to reduce sweets in our diet. Since then, we’ve both developed addictions to sparkling water. This will help us achieve our goals of looking great, being healthy, and stop having to haul bottles of sparkling water from the grocery store at $2 a pop.
6. Vase of Sticks
   
   We may kid about sticks in a vase, but secretly we really, really want our own vase of sticks.
7. Charging Station
   
   We have a lot of electronics and we’re not sure where to put them. And of course, there’s a whole industry of innovative charging stations now.
8. Pajama Jeans
   
   I’ve already promised I wouldn’t wear these to work if I got them, but I don’t think I’ve convinced Max.
9. Firewood holder
   
10. 8-10 cup rice cooker
    
    We have a little one, but it’s just not enough anymore.  Especially when we’re trying to make enough food to last us for more than one day.
11. Kitchen gadgets
    Everything from herb choping scissors and egg-timers to basics like pot holders and dish-towels. We haven’t figured out our “color scheme” so anything is great!
12. Small purses
    Something just big enough to hold my bulky wallet and a cellphone, a little bigger than a clutch.  I’ve always been a big purse girl, but now I feel the need to downsize. (most of my stuff is in my laptop bag anyway)
13. Jewelry
    I’m really into longer length necklaces right now, cool earrings, etc.
14. Funky sweaters
15. A wonderful holiday season spent with people I love!

Over the months, Max and I have become connoisseurs of the Vase of Sticks Today, whilst in Ikea, we were observing the various combinations and offerings of home decor, and were naturally drawn to their large Vase of Sticks options. Starting at just $55, you can get a bunch of sticks AND a vase with frosted glass (rocks not included). Everything you need to spruce up that hallway, corner or shelf (except the rocks, those are extra). Is that VALUE or WHAT!?!

Anyway, he made this meme for me; thought I’d share.

My rare, very dead, perforated gray leather Onitsukas. RIP.

Gilbert Crockett Chukka Vans in Rust. Time to hit the board more often.

Welcome to Halloween at 9am.

Occupy ShopIgniter (Our CIO's new office)